California Department of Water Resources

SACRAMENTO, Calif.October 23, 2023 – Extreme weather events in California in 2023 highlight the need for more awareness of flood risks in California and now is the time for all Californians to prepare for possible flooding. That was the message from state and federal agencies gathered today to show how they are joining forces to […]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Today, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) urged people to avoid physical contact with water at Pyramid Lake in Los Angeles County until further notice due to the presence of blue-green algae. Vaquero Swim Beach is closed, and Emigrant Landing Beach has a caution algal bloom advisory. People should also avoid eating […]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the fifth snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 59 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 30 inches, which is 241 percent of average for this location on May 1. The snow water equivalent measures the […]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today conducted the fourth snow survey of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 126.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 54 inches, which is 221 percent of average for this location on April 3. The snow water equivalent measures […]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced a significant boost in the forecasted State Water Project (SWP) deliveries this year due to continued winter storms in March and a massive Sierra snowpack. DWR now expects to deliver 75 percent of requested water supplies, up from 35 percent announced in February. The increase translates […]

Since Dec. 1 Lake Oroville’s storage has increased approximately 178 feet and gained 1.66 million acre-feet of water. While the Department of Water Resources (DWR) continues to monitor lake levels, DWR is also very closely monitoring weather forecasts and mountain snow levels. With ongoing wet weather and in anticipation of increased runoff inflows into the […]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As California continues to respond and adapt to ongoing extreme drought conditions, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) along with state, federal and non-governmental organization partners are advancing development of a tool for groundwater agencies to help with efforts to prevent dry wells and water supply shortages. The innovative Groundwater Accounting Platform is a robust state-supported data […]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. November 30, 2022 – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) yesterday awarded $86 million in financial assistance to meet the immediate and long-term water needs for millions of Californians in local communities small and large. As California experiences a climate transformation bringing hotter and drier conditions, small communities are extremely vulnerable and long-term […]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. October 3, 2022 – Conserving water has become a way of life in California, especially as projections forecast warmer, drier conditions. The State’s new water year has begun and with it comes fresh concerns about a fourth year of extreme drought for the state. California’s water year runs from October 1 to September […]

LAKE TAHOE, NV/CA – Efforts to reduce pollution and restore Lake Tahoe’s world-famous water clarity remain on track, despite impacts from climate change and other factors, according to a bi-state report released today by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, part of the California Environmental Protection […]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is using an innovative, helicopter-based technology to gather information about the state’s groundwater aquifer structure to support drought response and the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). DWR’s use of airborne electromagnetic (AEM) surveys advances Governor Newsom’s Water Resilience Portfolio goal of using technology […]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. –Today, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced its initial State Water Project (SWP) allocation for 2022 along with several steps to manage the state’s water supply in anticipation of a third dry year with reservoirs at or near historic lows.   Given the unprecedented drought conditions, the SWP’s initial allocation for December […]